By Abel MAVURA,
The new Freedom of information Act could be a great opportunity to tackle the widespread of fake news to citizens, especially on social media.
Social media platforms have been instrumental in the spread of fake news to citizens, with some of the news intended to cause panic and despondency.
In September 2019, a fake social media message claiming that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) was printing new currency, and the unknown author of the message even went to the extent of showing the specimen of the fake currency.
This caused fear among citizens, who then started criticizing the government, given the negative implications of introducing a new currency without first addressing the macroeconomic fundamentals.
The RBZ had to dispel the misinformation through the state media. According to (Daily News, 2017) panic buying of foodstuffs by citizens due to the fear of price hikes that took place sometime in October 2017 was fueled by social media which had gone awash with fake news purported imminent commodity shortages.
Fighting fake news is not only about fact-checking the stories you hear, it is also about holding the information you consume and the people or places you hear it from accountable.
Under the new Freedom of Information Act which replaced the unpopular Access to Information and Protection Privacy Act (AIPPA), anyone has access to information from public institutions which allows them to get the correct information at the right time.
It is believed the new act will ensure easy accessibility of information by all journalists and citizens, which can allow them to dispel any kind of fake news that may emanate from social media.
Access of information by journalists from diverse backgrounds would also increase complete context from all sides to allow citizens to get verified and most importantly balanced news.
Tag a Life International Trust (TaLI), girls and young women’s rights organization in partnership with Identities Media TV; supported by the Ministry of Information, Public and Broadcasting Services launched the campaign ‘My Freedom of Information – MFoI’.
The initiative is designed to publicize the Freedom of Information law so that citizens, especially women, girls as well as female journalists may begin to enjoy the law and assert their rights to access to information.
The campaign is being implemented by TaLI, with support from the Fojo Media Institute (Fojo), International Media Support (IMS), and funding from the Embassy of Sweden in Zimbabwe. Working with journalists from across the country’s ten provinces majority of which are women, the initiative will make sure that millions of women, girls, and ordinary citizens are aware of the new ‘Freedom of Information law.
